The goal of remote patient monitoring, a crucial component of healthcare, is to employ technology to keep track of patient’s health outside of conventional clinical settings. RPM is simply one delivery method utilized in the larger telemedicine sector. It refers to a particular technique used to transmit information electronically between patients and physicians. Remote patient monitoring services do not involve interactive visits or patients residing in rural locations, in contrast to other telehealth care delivery techniques. All they need is a technology that gathers and decodes physiological data. Systems for remote patient monitoring offer a huge potential to save money by averting more serious and expensive health consequences.
Glucose monitors enable patients to remotely report their blood pressure and blood oxygen levels to doctors. To obtain the most from technology, it is crucial to comprehend it. The subsequent scientific studies aim to demonstrate whether this technology has potential or its advantages have to be minimized. My rationale for selecting this topic is the fact that the number of people suffering from diabetes continues to rise, and the development of monitoring technologies is crucial. I am interested in these developments since they can positively affect the healthcare system. Several databases, such as PubMed, were exploited within the research process, with key search terms like ‘glucose monitoring,’ ‘personal glucose monitors,’ etc.
DeSalvo, D. J., Noor, N., Xie, C., Corathers, S. D., Majidi, S., McDonough, R. J., Polsky, S., Izquierdo, R., Rioles, N., Weinstock, R., Obrynba, K., Roberts, A., Vendrame, F., Sanchez, J., & Ebekozien, O. (2021). Patient Demographics and Clinical Outcomes Among Type 1 Diabetes Patients Using Continuous Glucose Monitors: Data from T1D Exchange Real-World Observational Study. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology 21(2), 211-229.
Numerous studies have shown the advantages of glucose monitoring devices for glycemic control. However, adoption is still not very prevalent. In clinics participating in the US-based T1D Exchange Quality Improvement (T1DX-QI) Collaborative Program, the usage of CGM was connected with patient characteristics and clinical outcomes, which was the purpose of this study. The authors looked at data from eight endocrinology clinics that took part in the T1DX-QI partnership from 2017 to 2019 using electronic health record data (DeSalvo et al., 2021). According to the study, patients with private insurance used glucose monitoring devices more frequently than those with public insurance. In addition, individuals who used glucose monitoring devices had HbA1c values that were lower than those who did not (DeSalvo et al., 2021). Significantly more non-users experienced severe hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis. The relevance shown in the study is that users of glucose monitoring systems had better glycemic control and lower rates of diabetic ketoacidosis and severe hypoglycemia compared to those who did not in this real-world study of patients taking part in the T1DX-QI collaborative program (DeSalvo et al., 2021). The authors contend that promoting broad and equitable adoption of glucose monitoring devices through quality improvement and advocacy activities may enhance clinical impact. This study is important for practitioners since it presents one of the very few mass studies of the issue, while the findings show the impact of the technology.
Hassija, V., Chamola, V., Bajpai, B. C., & Zeadally, S. (2021). Security issues in implantable medical devices: Fact or fiction?. Sustainable Cities and Society, 66, 102552.
The connectivity of implanted medical devices, such as glucose monitoring devices is a crucial aspect of their usage. While this connection improves the speed, efficiency, and capacity of devices to conduct medical and diagnostic tasks and potentially saves many lives, it also poses various security issues. Attackers can exploit critical system flaws in these devices by controlling them over the underlying communications network (Hassija et al., 2021). The study’s goal is to examine the real-world security threats connected to these gadgets. The authors looked at current practices and came to the conclusion that none of the dangers were merely exaggerated (Hassija et al., 2021). The authors suggest re-examining current security procedures for these types of devices with a higher emphasis on user privacy.
Klonoff, D. C., Parkes, J. L., Kovatchev, B. P., Kerr, D., Bevier, W. C., Brazg, R. L. & Kohn, M. A. (2018). Investigation of the accuracy of 18 marketed blood glucose monitors. Diabetes Care, 41(8), 1681-1688.
It has been argued that personal blood glucose monitors may not always achieve the accuracy standards now demanded by international and American regulatory organizations. This study’s objective was to assess the precision of 18 such systems that the US Food and Drug Administration has authorized. Three triple-blind experiments were conducted with the goods which were purchased from retail establishments (Klonoff et al., 2018). For each of the three investigations, the three clinical facilities that were involved assessed a new collection of six systems on a rolling basis, with an average of 115 participants tested in each trial (Klonoff et al., 2018). Each study’s percentage of eligible readings was compared to a less stringent accuracy level than current regulatory standards.
Following the testing, several accuracy indicators rated blood glucose monitors in nearly the same fashion. Total compliance rate, modified Bland-Altman analysis with mean error, coefficient of variation, and the percentage of indications without clinical risk were some additional accuracy indicators (Klonoff et al., 2018). Six systems, five systems, and three systems reached the required accuracy threshold in each of the three investigations, while four failed to fulfill the accuracy criteria (Klonoff et al., 2018). Essentially, this study shows that the impact of blood glucose monitors often falls short of the standards for analytical precision now necessary for regulatory approval. Patients, professionals, and payers can use this information to help them choose products, and regulators can use it to help them in evaluation.
Yeh, T., Yeung, M., & Mendelsohn Curanaj, F. A. (2021). Managing patients with insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors in the hospital: to wear or not to wear. Current Diabetes Reports, 21(2), 1-11.
The relevance of diabetes management tools like glucose monitors is increasing along with the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the US. Reviewing recent guidelines and the evidence that is now available for the ongoing use of glucometers in hospital settings is the goal of this study. Glycemia maintenance is crucial for lowering morbidity and mortality in the hospital environment (Yeh et al., 2021). The inpatient use of diabetic technology in carefully chosen patients with appropriate institutional guidelines is safe, can enhance inpatient glycemia, and can lessen hypoglycemia, according to specialists and the medical community. Additionally, the study showed the impact of glucose monitors in the treatment of hyperglycemia in certain hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 epidemic.
The study recognizes that although bigger trials examining clinical outcomes are required, the use of glucometers in intensive care groups appears to be accurate and dependable. It also acknowledges that not all patients should use glucometers, making it crucial to assess any contusions. The study’s core concept is that healthcare personnel need to be able to handle and use these devices in their work with diabetes specialists in order for institutions to use them safely and efficiently in their inpatient departments (Yeh et al., 2021). The use of glucose monitors in hospitalized patients has considerable potential for improving glycemic control. The study found that while more thorough research is required, most existing recommendations and experiences are favorable.
In conclusion, it can be said that glucose-measuring technology may represent one of the most significant developments in the battle against diabetes. All of the studies are univocal in the fact that it could be the future for people with diabetes. The appropriateness of the usage in the different healthcare settings is justified due to its benefits. As it was shown, patients exploiting the glucose monitoring systems have better glycemic control and lower rates of diabetic ketoacidosis and severe hypoglycemia (DeSalvo et al., 2021). The key organizational factors influencing the technology selection are the lack of alternatives, potential cost benefits, and easiness of implementation.
References
DeSalvo, D. J., Noor, N., Xie, C., Corathers, S. D., Majidi, S., McDonough, R. J., Polsky, S., Izquierdo, R., Rioles, N., Weinstock, R., Obrynba, K., Roberts, A., Vendrame, F., Sanchez, J., & Ebekozien, O. (2021). Patient Demographics and Clinical Outcomes Among Type 1 Diabetes Patients Using Continuous Glucose Monitors: Data from T1D Exchange Real-World Observational Study. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology 21(2), 211-229.
Hassija, V., Chamola, V., Bajpai, B. C., & Zeadally, S. (2021). Security issues in implantable medical devices: Fact or fiction?. Sustainable Cities and Society, 66, 102552.
Klonoff, D. C., Parkes, J. L., Kovatchev, B. P., Kerr, D., Bevier, W. C., Brazg, R. L. & Kohn, M. A. (2018). Investigation of the accuracy of 18 marketed blood glucose monitors. Diabetes Care, 41(8), 1681-1688.
Yeh, T., Yeung, M., & Mendelsohn Curanaj, F. A. (2021). Managing patients with insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors in the hospital: to wear or not to wear. Current Diabetes Reports, 21(2), 1-11.